CBC Chairman Emanuel Cleaver released the following statement about the Supreme Court’s rejection of key portions of Arizona’s controversial immigration law:
“Today the United States Supreme Court rightfully struck down key parts of Arizona’s un-American, anti-immigrant law, SB 1070. With this ruling, the Supreme Court rejected the policies that would have needlessly pushed families, workers, and senior citizens into the criminal justice system. However, the Court has made a grave error in upholding the ‘papers please’ provision, which allows local law enforcement officers to racially profile and discriminate against Hispanics and other minorities based on appearance and accent. This law blatantly encourages discrimination against all people of color and other immigrants—including those who have been American citizens all their lives—and violates basic rights of human beings. It is also painfully reminiscent of the struggle many African Americans faced during the 1800s in proving their ‘freedmen status’ and the struggle Black South Africans endured during Apartheid with their ‘passbooks’. It is hard to understand how any aspect of this anti-immigrant law could ever be seen as constitutional.
“Throughout our 41-year history, the Congressional Black Caucus has worked tirelessly to ensure that all Americans, regardless of race, color, or creed have the chance to pursue and achieve the American Dream. Many American workers are still suffering from dire economic conditions and our broken immigration system creates a race to the bottom for the worst paying and most difficult jobs. I am disappointed that the Supreme Court has failed to protect our citizens’ basic rights and I am confident that this will not be the final word. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus will continue to join our colleagues in the Tri-Caucus in the continued fight to protect American citizens. We urge the U.S. Department of Justice to stay vigilant in stepping up civil rights enforcement not only in Arizona, but throughout the United States.
“If we truly want to protect our citizens’ basic rights, level the playing field in the workplace, and in the classroom, we must move beyond the partisanship in creating policies that are supposed to protect the American people. It is time we come to the table, negotiate, and fix our broken system by ensuring comprehensive immigration reform.”
-Chairman Emanuel Cleaver, II
I Totally Agree With Chairman Emanuel Clever,This a Slap in The Face Approach,by The U.S.Supreme Court…WOW,hope we get a Better Ruling on The Healthcare Law…Maybe we Need a New Look at The Face of The Supreme Court…I’m Just Saying.
Hello Lauren:
If Congressman Cleaver disagrees with the Supreme Court’s decision on allowing – police officers to check legal status of some people during routine traffic stops – (by the way this decision was agreed to by the “liberal” and “moderate” justices), Then what is his solution to dealing with this Imminent Problem?
The Issue is: There are anywhere from 20 – 50 million people who Willfully came to this country illegally, have Misplaced tens of millions of American workers, have dramatically increased crime and lawlessness.
Mr Cleaver has been in Congress long enough to have a solution to this problem – how to enforce the Law – removing people from this Country who do not belong here. What Bill has Congressman Cleaver introduced on the house floor to Correct this injustice perpetrated on the American People!
As a Black American when I get stopped for a “traffic Violation”, a background check is done on me “to see if I have any warrants” or “outstanding tickets”, “etc”. I don’t hear anyone in Washington DC -hollering about my rights being violated! I as an American Citizen have a Right to Work in my Own Country!!
It IS Reasonable for the police to verify citizenship of Hispanics – when the Reality is: over 90% of illegal immigrants come from Mexico and South/Latin America. This is the Law of Common Sense! Not to do so is – Negligence!!
Thank You,
Ms Joy Haddocks James